Can you bring your own floats to Blue Springs?

Inflatable floats and tubes are allowed in the spring and adjacent river. Visitors may bring their own float. To help protect the spring and river, no food, drink, pets, tobacco, alcohol or disposable items are allowed. A vendor will not be available to rent tubes for Summer 2023.



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Tip: the best time to visit Blue Spring State Park is in the mid morning before the sun is fully up and warming the waters. As the day goes on, the manatees work their way back into the St Johns River. In the morning there are also smaller crowds, so it's much more pleasant.

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No food or drinks allowed inside tubes. Food and drinks are allowed when kayaking. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills. All pavilions are first come, first served.

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It's best to get to the spring before 10am. We were there on a Friday around 9:30am, it wasn't crowded at all. But when we left around 12:30pm, more and more people started showing up at the park. Just arrive early and enjoy the spring.

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Phone: 386-775-3663. Hours: Open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Day use admission $6 per vehicle, $2 for pedestrians, bicycles.

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Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is an experience you will not forget. Float your canoe, kayak or SUP down the quarter-mile spring run as it flows from the main spring headwaters to the Santa Fe River.

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Blue Springs Ranch has three different float options to suit every guests needs. We offer a 10 mile float, a 5 mile float, and a lazy river that is equivalent to 1 mile.

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When planning your trip, consider visiting the springs in the early morning and during the middle of the week. Local springs will be less crowded on weekdays and the manatees are most active and playful in the mornings.

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I loved this little park. I actually visited in two days in a row. The manatees were in the river along with a lot of other interesting wildlife.

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Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is in the north central part of the state, an area well known for the many spectacular freshwater springs found along the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers.

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